Kanu double as Arsenal stroll to victory

Arsenal 3 Sunderland 1

The match was over as a meaningful contest after just 10 minutes, with Kanu striking twice to take his tally in the past five games to five goals, just when injury has ruled out Dennis Bergkamp.

By half-time it was 3-0 as Patrick Vieira struck and although Sunderland lost goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen with a suspected dislocated elbow, their problems were far more fundamental.

For long periods, this was a side seemingly without direction or inspiration who were not only outclassed but also outfought and outrun.

By the end, Arsenal were toying with the visitors as they nonchalantly knocked the ball around as if it was a practice match.

Even though Jody Craddock scored a late consolation, the Gunners set a new Premiership record of 30 unbeaten games. The victory took Arsenal’s record of scoring in consecutive league games to 48.

Sunderland boss Peter Reid criticised his side’s defending and lack of self-belief after they were swept aside by Arsenal’s record-breaking bandwagon at Highbury.

This time, the Sunderland boss stopped short of questioning his players’ desire, as he did after defeat at Newcastle.

However, he said: ‘‘I got that off my chest after the Newcastle game. I thought the desire was there in this game but it was just that the belief wasn’t.

‘‘We should have had some confidence after beating Aston Villa and then Cambridge 7-0, but looked as though we didn’t believe we would get a result here.

‘‘We had a great start as last year we were 2-0 down in four minutes. This time, it took nine minutes.

‘‘Seriously though, it was very disappointing. We all know how Arsenal start so well and we impressed that on the players before the game.

‘‘I don’t want to take anything away from Arsenal’s fantastic squad but we caused our own downfall without a doubt by not defending correctly.

‘‘Firstly, we didn’t defend a corner and then we gave away possession to go 2-0 down.

‘‘If you are cut open by good play from world-class players then that’s one thing but we gave them a helping hand with our defending.

‘‘They won everything. They won every tackle and every second ball, while we gave the ball away too cheaply.’’

Sunderland also lost goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen with a dislocated

elbow that should keep him out of action for two to three months.

Arsene Wenger praised Kanu for his attitude in waiting for his chance before scoring five times in the past five games in the absence of Dennis Bergkamp through injury.

‘‘The most important thing is that we have 20 quality players, it doesn’t matter who comes in. We showed that last season and again this year. Kanu shows that as well,’’ he said.

‘‘He has always shown a great attitude and has got a lot of respect from everyone for that. It’s not been easy for him as he’s got a world-class player fighting for his position.’’

Wenger added: ‘‘I told you that I want to win every game and we did that in an outstanding first-half today.

‘‘Part of the reason we were superior is that the gap has increased because we were on a high and Sunderland did not have so much confidence.”

ARSENAL: Seaman, Lauren, Campbell, Cygan, Cole, Ljungberg (Toure 78), Vieira, Silva, Wiltord (Edu 77), Henry (Jeffers 77), Kanu.

SUNDERLAND Sorensen (Myhre 13), Craddock, Babb, Reyna, Bellion, Williams, McCann, Arca, Kilbane, Thirlwell (Piper 58), Flo (Quinn 74).

Referee: D Elleray (Middlesex).